Security forces foil attack on Bannu Cantt, killing 6 terrorists

BANNU/KOHAT/ RAWALPINDI: Security forces foiled a terrorist attack on Bannu Cantonment in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, killing at least six militants affiliated with Fitna Al Khwarij, according to security officials on Tuesday.

According to security forces, suicide bombers rammed two explosive-laden vehicles against two different gates of the cantonment. According to reports, at least 12 people were martyred, including worshippers and children, and 32 others sustained injuries in the attack. The explosions also inflicted damage inside the cantonment, martyring a personnel and injuring some others.

According to initial reports, the attack took place right after Iftar, when two suicide bombers detonated themselves near Kohati Gate, breaching the wall. Following the explosion, the terrorists attempted to infiltrate into the cantonment, but the forces swiftly acted and repulsed the attack. Due to the blasts, several buildings, including houses and a mosque in Kot Barah and Kot Adil areas, collapsed, and three worshippers who were offering prayers were martyred. The remaining civilians were martyred when a building collapsed following a car bomb explosion in the market, as per security sources. The injured were shifted to District Headquarters Hospital, where an emergency was declared.

Military sources confirmed that the Pakistan Army has launched an operation to neutralise the attackers. At least six militants were killed so far and the search is continuing for other terrorists. Security sources said that targeting civilians and a mosque, particularly during Ramazan, reflects that Fitna Al Khwarij has nothing to do with Islam. Verified reports indicate that the remaining Khwarij are in contact with Afghanistan via phone, according to security sources. Security sources confirmed that the clearance operation will continue until the last Khariji is eliminated.

Sources said rooftops of buildings adjacent to Bannu cantt had collapsed. In a late night development, Barrister Saif said that the attack had been foiled. All attackers have been eliminated, he said. He said several Namazis had been martyred after roof of a nearby mosque collapsed. He said they were determining the total casualties. Chief Minister KP has ordered an inquiry into the incident. The provincial government shares the grief of the families of martyred, he added.

Meanwhile, the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) faction, Jaish Fursan Muhammad, has claimed responsibility for the attack. Commander Muhammad said that militants from the Al-Hamza Istishhadi Force and Jabhat Ansar al-Mahdi had carried out the assault.

Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari strongly condemned the terrorist attack on Bannu Cantonment during Iftar. The president expressed deep sorrow and grief over the loss of precious lives in the terrorist attack. He praised the security forces for eliminating the terrorists and sending them to hell. Zardari reiterated the nation’s resolve to continue operations to eliminate the scourge of extremism and terrorism.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also praised the officers and personnel of security forces for successfully eliminating the Khwarij who attempted the attack. He expressed profound sorrow and anguish over the martyrdom of innocent civilians in the incident. The prime minister emphasised that cowardly terrorists who target innocent civilians during Ramazan deserve no leniency. He declared that Khwarij are enemies of Pakistan and its innocent citizens, and their nefarious plans will never be allowed to succeed.

Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also paid tribute to security forces for foiling the terrorist attack. In his statement, Naqvi saluted the security forces for crushing the nefarious designs of the Khwarij. He expressed deep sorrow and regret over the loss of precious lives in the attack. He assured that the government stands firmly with the families of the martyrs in this hour of grief. Meanwhile, Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility of an attack carried out by a woman suicide bomber in Kalat on Monday. An FC soldier was martyred in the attack, reports AFP.